You might be in one of two camps at the thought of applying oil to your face. If your skin is dry or sensitive, the idea of patting on a luxurious face oil—or using non-irritating, clean beauty products that contain it—could be right up your alley. But if your skin is very oily or acne-prone, the thought of willingly adding even more oil to your complexion might seem counterintuitive. However, there's a specific oil that's highly beneficial for (virtually) all skin types and concerns, and doesn't cause breakouts, irritation, or inflammation. Enter: jojoba oil.

Below, we'll take you through exactly what jojoba oil is, the benefits of using it, and where you can find this versatile, skin-friendly oil in Jones Road Beauty products.

What is jojoba oil?

Let’s start with the basics of jojoba oil. According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, it’s derived from the Simmondsia chinensis plant (aka jojoba, goatnut, coffeeberry, or quinine plant), a perennial shrub native to the southern parts of Arizona and California, as well some neighboring areas in Mexico. It’s rich in replenishing fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which makes it deeply nourishing and good for your skin. Since it’s highly stable against oxidation and isn’t prone to degradation from bacterial activity, jojoba oil is lauded in skincare and makeup formulas ranging from moisturizers and cleansers to foundations and lip balms.

Also, despite its name, jojoba oil isn’t technically an oil to begin with; it’s more accurately defined as a wax ester. The plant “produces esters of long-chain alcohols and fatty acids (waxes) as a seed lipid energy reserve,” per a 2013 review in the Italian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology.

P.S. It’s pronounced ho-ho-ba.

5 major benefits of jojoba oil for skin

Is jojoba oil good for your skin? In one word: yes. Our research-backed roundup of jojoba oil benefits will cover the key advantages of applying it to your face and body.

1. It’s anti-inflammatory
Inflammation wreaks havoc on your skin, so jojoba oil’s anti-inflammatory properties steps in to help many skin conditions and concerns. Several clinical studies and medical reviews demonstrate that jojoba oil is beneficial for inflammation in the form of:
-redness
-wounds
-infections
-sunburns
-seborrheic dermatitis (which tends to affect the scalp)
-atopic dermatitis (the most common type of eczema

Jojoba oil is also beneficial for another one of the most common forms of skin inflammation: acne.

2. It balances oily and acne-prone skin
There are a few reasons why jojoba oil is especially beneficial for acne-prone and oily skin—especially since it’s a wax ester. As a 2009 entry in the medical journal Dermato-Endocrinology explains, “Human sebum consists of squalene, esters of glycerol, wax and cholesterol, as well as free cholesterol and fatty acids,” of which wax esters comprise about 26 percent. (A quick note: Sebum is the technical term for oil on your skin.) The researchers add that increased sebum secretion is the chief driver in the pathophysiology of acne. Bacteria also contribute to breakouts, and jojoba oil boasts antibacterial properties, too.

Since jojoba oil closely resembles the skin’s own natural sebum (making it “biomimetic,” in technical terms), applying it helps to normalize oil production and balance the complexion. Less sebum means fewer chances to let acne rear its ugly head. Jojoba oil is also non-greasy and non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores, cause breakouts, or exacerbate existing ones.

3. It protects the skin barrier by locking in moisture
Sure, jojoba oil is good for acne and oily skin types. But that doesn’t mean that those with dry, sensitive, and/or reactive skin wouldn’t benefit from using it, as well.

Skin dryness—whether in the form of atopic dermatitis or otherwise—is linked to transepidermal water loss (TEWL). TEWL can lead to a weakened stratum corneum: the protective, outermost layer of the skin barrier. Studies show that jojoba oil acts as a semi-occlusive to decrease TEWL and retain moisture in the skin. It’s an emollient as well, meaning it conditions the skin to make it smoother, softer, and more hydrated.

4. It offers antioxidant effects
Topical antioxidants are revered in beauty products since they’re among the most potent protectors against skin damage and signs of aging. Studies confirm that jojoba oil packs antioxidants that fight off the free radicals that contribute to skin damage (such as sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, and more). Research also shows that jojoba oil’s antioxidant profile is a key factor contributing to its high oxidative stability.

Read: The antioxidant content of jojoba oil offers anti-aging benefits for your skin and contributes to the quality of the products you apply that contain it.

5. It’s a low-risk, high-reward ingredient
You probably get the gist that the wide-ranging benefits of jojoba oil make it a veritable all-star in the beauty world. It’s worth mentioning that jojoba oil is friendly in several ways, as it:
-pairs well with other skincare and makeup ingredients
-poses “no secondary effects” and “no reports [were] made of burning or itching,” even in study participants struggling with acne or psoriasis
-is included in skincare, makeup, hair, and nail care products

Where to find jojoba oil in Jones Road Beauty products

We’re big fans of jojoba oil at JRB. We love how balanced it makes our skin feel and how effectively it nourishes our lips, which is why we’ve included it in six products to date:

What the Foundation (WTF)
We made sure to include jojoba oil in WTF, our tinted moisture balm slash foundation. Sodium hyaluronate complements this oil (in tandem with a few other complexion-friendly oils), offering superior hydration and protection against environmental stressors. Jojoba oil is ideal to use in a foundation so your entire face can benefit from the ingredient.

Miracle Balm
Miracle Balm—which contains jojoba oil—is our bestselling product. It also won a 2022 Allure Best of Beauty Award in the clean category. You can use one of the nine shades as an all-over skin tint, blush, bronzer, or highlighter. This versatile superproduct will give you an all-over glow and a foolproof, no-makeup makeup look.

Shimmer Face Oil
Lightweight and silky, our Shimmer Face Oil blends with nine oils (including jojoba) to give a subtle sheen to your face and body. Tip: Apply it on top of your favorite shade of Miracle Balm for extra luminosity.

The Oil Stick
Get your glow on the go with The Oil Stick. The benefits of jojoba oil are complemented by high-performance apricot, rosehip, and sunflower oils, as well as coconut alkanes. Simply glide The Oil Stick on your face and pat to perk up your complexion. Bonus: It also doubles as an antidote to dry cuticles.

The Lippie Stick
Soften your lips, lock in moisture, and enjoy the cushiony layer of protection that The Lippie Stick offers—courtesy of jojoba oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter, and other highly nourishing ingredients. It’s a must-have in any purse or pocket.

The Cleansing Stick
Dissolve makeup and impurities one swipe at a time with The Cleansing Stick. Jojoba, sunflower, and avocado oils are effective yet gentle enough that they won’t strip your skin of essential moisture. Swipe it onto dry skin, add water to emulsify, and enjoy a fresher face post-cleanse.